Small-Sized High-Speed Tow-Seat Hydrocycle

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to shipbuilding and is directed at improving nautical properties of a device by increasing the stability thereof at rough maneuvers and by the possibility of hard dynamic breaking produced by using a reverse mode. The small-sized high-speed two-seat hydrocycle comprises a body, a water-jet propeller, a reversing-steering device in the form of a reverse drive pivotable shutter and a pivotable nozzle rudder, the hydrocycle operation control device connected to the engine and the reversing-steering device, driver and passenger seats which are arranged on both sides of center plane of the hydrocycle body along the boards thereof as low as possible with respect to the waterline of the hydrocycle. The hydrocycle operation control device is mounted between two seats and embodied mainly in the form of a joystick arm which is cinematically connected to the rudder and to a steering system which cinematically connects the engine control and the reversing device. Said system is embodied in such a way that when the joystick arm is tilted from a neutral position to a forward position, the reversing device is switched respectively into a backward running mode and the engine speed increases proportionally to the joystick arm tilting, wherein the connection of the joystick to the rudder is selected in such a way that the hydrocycle turns in the joystick tilting direction and vice-versa. The hydrocycle is provided with safety boards arranged near the driver and passenger seats.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of shipbuilding and is concerned with the problems of providing sport and recreational craft and, in particular, hydrocycles. The hydrocycle is designed for short-time trips.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

A two-seat hydrocycle is known which comprises a body, a water-jet propeller with a rotor wheel (impeller), a reversing-steering device (RSD) in the form of a reverse drive pivotable shutter and a rudder whose function is implemented by a pivotable nozzle of the propeller, a hydrocycle operation control device connected to the engine and the RSD, driver and passenger seats arranged one behind the other. And, the driver seat is raised above the passenger seat—prototype (see, Hydrocycle model Sea-doo GTX of “Bombardier” company, Internet: http://www.sea-doo.net/units/2007/2007_GTX %20 Spec %20Sheet.pdf).

However, this device has a number of disadvantages.

A high-positioned center of gravity of the entire hydrocycle together with people leads, at rough maneuvers of the hydrocycle, to a large overturning moment, i.e., influences directly its stability.

Since the driver and the passenger are seated one behind the other on the hydrocycle, they cannot hand over control of it to one another. And what is more, such handing-over of control is possible only on shore or through water with movement stopped.

In this hydrocycle, it is impossible to attain the effect of dynamic braking that is often needed at rough maneuvers. Even if this could have attained, the high center of gravity together with seated people would inevitably lead to throwing them off the hydrocycle in the direction of translational motion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the supposed invention to improve nautical properties of the hydrocycle by increasing the stability thereof at rough maneuvers and by ensuring the possibility of hard dynamic braking produced by using a reverse mode.

The technical result from the use of the proposed disclosure is attainable owing to that, in the small-sized high-speed two-seat hydrocycle, comprising a body, a water-jet propeller, a reversing-steering device in the form of a reverse drive pivotable shutter and a pivotable nozzle rudder, and the hydrocycle operation control device connected to the engine and the reversing-steering device, driver and passenger seats are arranged on both sides of the center plane (CP) of the hydrocycle body along the boards thereof as low as possible with respect to the waterline of the hydrocycle. The hydrocycle operation control device is mounted between said seats and embodied mainly in the form of a joystick arm, which is cinematically connected to the rudder and to a steering system, which cinematically connects the engine control and the reversing device. Said steering system is embodied in such a way that when the joystick arm is tilted from a neutral position to a forward position, the reversing device is switched over into a forward running mode and the engine speed increases proportionally to the joystick arm displacement, whereas when the joystick arm is tilted from the neutral position to a backward position, the reversing device is switched over respectively into a backward running mode and the engine speed in this case increases also proportionally to the joystick arm tilting. And, the connection of the joystick arm to the rudder is selected in such a way that the hydrocycle turns in the joystick arm tilting direction, and vice versa.

Along with this, the hydrocycle body is provided with safety boards arranged within the region of the driver and passenger seats.

Arrangement of the driver and passenger seats along the boards on both sides of the CP of the hydrocycle body at the level approaching the waterline allows to lower down the center of gravity of the device so that it gets disposed as near as possible to the waterline, thus ensuring greater confidence of the people who are on the hydrocycle, when it is moving, in their safety at maneuvers.

Since the hydrocycle operation control device is disposed between the driver and passenger seats, the hydrocycle can be operated both by the driver and by the passenger separately, and the driver can also take the seat for operating the hydrocycle either by the right hand or by the left hand (a left-handed person).

The hydrocycle operation control device being embodied mainly in the form of a joystick arm, which is cinematically connected simultaneously to the rudder and to the system controlling both the engine and the reversing device, ensures simplicity of active and dynamic operation of the hydrocycle for any, even an untrained person.

The system controlling both the reversing device and the engine being embodied so that, when the reversing device is switched over into a forward running mode or a backward running mode, the engine speed increases, allows to carry our rough maneuvers while the hydrocycle is in motion, and use the principle of dynamic braking, thus ensuring a substantial improvement in efficiency of braking, without waiting when the hydrocycle stops.

All the above-mentioned maneuvers and movements of the hydrocycle are ensured owing to that all its controls are operated by a joystick arm via a cinematic connection thereof to the rudder, to the engine and to the reversing device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The substance of the invention will be explained further with references to the accompanying illustrations, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the hydrocycle; and

FIG. 2 is a top view thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The small-sized high-speed two-seat hydrocycle has a body 1, inside which are arranged along its boards, on different sides of the center plane 2: driver and passenger seats 3, a water-jet propeller 4, an engine 5, an RSD 6, and a hydrocycle operation control joystick arm 7.

The water-jet propeller 4 includes a water scoop 8 and a pivotable nozzle 9. The RSD consists of a reverse drive pivotable shutter 10 and a rudder whose function is implemented by the pivotable nozzle 9 of the water-jet propeller 4. The reverse drive shutter 10 is capable of pivoting around its horizontal axis 11.

The hydrocycle operation control joystick arm 7 is disposed between the driver and passenger seats 3, is cinematically connected to the rudder 9 and via the system controlling both the engine and the reversing device (not shown in the accompanying illustration) to the latter, and is capable of tilting lengthways and sideways the CP of the hydrocycle.

In device operates as follows. The person operating the hydrocycle, in order to initiate the forward movement, tilts forward the joystick arm into its forward position and, as this takes place, the reversing device of the water-jet propeller uses the cinematic connections of the control system to get shifted to the forward running position, and the engine begins to increase its speed proportionally to the joystick arm tilting. In order to initiate the backward movement of the hydrocycle, the joystick arm is to be tilted into its backward position and, as this takes place, the reversing device gets shifted respectively to the backward running position, and the engine begins to increase its speed also proportionally to the joystick arm tilting.

In any position of the joystick arm in the direction of forward or backward movement of the hydrocycle, its maneuvering can be controlled. When the joystick is inclined to the right or to the left, the hydrocycle will manoeuvre to the right or to the left, respectively, no matter whether it is in forward or backward movement. Since the control joystick arm is disposed between the driver and the passenger, and is the only means for operating the hydrocycle, any of them can take over the control thereof in the process of its operation, without a risk of emerging a dangerous situation in water.

At high speed traveling speed, it is possible to carry out very rough maneuvers of the hydrocycle and, in doing so, because of its arrangement and owing to that the center of gravity thereof is positioned as low as possible with respect to the waterline, stability of the hydrocycle will be maintained and safety will be ensured for the people against turning over.

In order to perform a rough manoeuvre of the hydrocycle, using the principle of hydrodynamic braking, the joystick arm is to be shifted abruptly as far as it goes from the forward movement position to the backward movement position. Every time this happens, the engine speed gets reduced within a short period of time along with shifting over the reversing device to the backward running position, whereupon the engine speed gets increased. The reversing device begins to operate in a reverse mode; however, the hydrocycle still continues its translational movement forwards, and it is exactly at this moment that the maximum backward running thrust is developed at the propeller. Just the very next moment, the hydrocycle speed gets abruptly reduced, and the hydrocycle begins to move in a displacement mode (at a maximum draft), with a resulting increase in the resistance of its body so that braking is, therefore, intensified even more. Owing to this, the braking efficiency gets many times higher. As soon as the hydrocycle reaches a zero speed, the joystick is to be shifted over to its neutral position, and the hydrocycle comes to a stop.

The lower position of the center of gravity thus attained for the entire complex together with people allows performing such braking without a risk for their lives.

For backward running, the joystick arm is to be shifted over to its backward running position, and the hydrocycle begins then to move in this direction after it stops.

The claimed small-sized high-speed two-seat hydrocycle was made in the form of a prototype model. A design diagram of the hydrocycle thus submitted has confirmed completely the main advantages thereof over the prototype as far as controllability is concerned.

Thus, the claimed invention allows providing a novel small-sized high-speed two-seat hydrocycle having better stability when maneuvering. 

1. A small-sized high-speed two-seat hydrocycle, comprising a body, a water-jet propeller, a reversing-steering device in the form of a reverse drive pivotable shutter and a pivotable nozzle rudder, and the hydrocycle operation control device connected to the engine and the reversing-steering device, characterized in that driver and passenger seats are arranged on both sides of the center plane of the hydrocycle body along the boards thereof as low as possible with respect to the waterline of the hydrocycle, and the hydrocycle operation control device is mounted between said seats and embodied mainly in the form of a joystick arm, which is cinematically connected to the rudder and to a steering system, which cinematically connects the engine control and the reversing device and is embodied in such a way that when the joystick arm is tilted from a neutral position to a forward position, the reversing device is switched over into a forward running mode and the engine speed increases proportionally to the joystick arm displacement, whereas when the joystick arm is tilted from the neutral position to a backward position, the reversing device is switched over respectively into a backward running mode and the engine speed in this case increases also proportionally to the joystick arm tilting, whilst the connection of the joystick arm to the rudder is selected in such a way that the hydrocycle turns in the joystick arm tilting direction, and vice versa.
 2. The small-sized high-speed two-seat hydrocycle according to claim 1, characterized in that the body thereof is provided with safety boards arranged within the region of the driver and passenger seats. 